Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the knee: an experimental approach

Purpose  

The purpose of this study was to examine gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for monitoring cartilage degeneration.     

Diagnostic performance of ethyl glucuronide in hair for the investigation of alcohol drinking behavior: a comparison with traditional biomarkers

Background  

Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in hair has emerged as a useful biomarker for detecting alcohol abuse and monitoring abstinence. However, there is a need to establish a reliable cutoff value for the detection of chronic and excessive alcohol consumption.     

Initial experience with <Superscript>18</Superscript>F-fluoroethylcholine PET/CT in staging and monitoring therapy response of advanced renal cell carcinoma

Objective  

The use of ¹⁸F-fluoroethylcholine (FEC) PET/CT in staging and monitoring therapy response of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was prospectively analysed.     

Role of Dynamic MRI in the follow-up of acute Charcot foot in patients with diabetes mellitus

Purpose  

To evaluate the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in assessing the level of activity of acute Charcot foot, monitoring treatment response and predicting healing time.     

Load independence of radionuclide diastolic filling measurements in acute coronary occlusion

Background  

An accurate noninvasive method for measuring the effects of pharmacologic agents on active relaxation of the left ventricle would provide a valuable tool for monitoring the treatment of diastolic heart failure related to coronary artery disease.     

PET imaging of early response to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor ZD4190

Purpose  

We evaluated noninvasive positron emission tomography (PET) imaging for monitoring tumor response to the VEGFR-2 tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitor ZD4190 during cancer therapy.     

Time-of-flight PET/CT using low-activity protocols: potential implications for cancer therapy monitoring

Introduction  

Accurate quantification of tumour tracer uptake is essential for therapy monitoring by sequential PET imaging. In this study we investigated to what extent a reduction in administered activity, synonymous with an overall reduction in repeated patient exposure, compromised the accuracy of quantitative measures using time-of-flight PET/CT.     

Probing forces of menisci: what levels are safe for arthroscopic surgery

Purpose  

To facilitate effective learning, feedback on performance during arthroscopic training is essential. Less attention has been paid to feedback on monitoring safe handling of delicate tissues such as meniscus. The goal is to measure in vitro probing forces of menisci and compare them with a theoretical maximum probing force (TMPF).     

Semi-automated volumetric analysis of lymph node metastases during follow-up��initial results

Objective  

Quantification of tumour burden in oncology requires accurate and reproducible evaluation. The current standard is RECIST measurement with its inherent disadvantages. Volumetric analysis is an alternative for therapy monitoring. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of volumetric analysis of lymph node metastases using a software prototype in a follow-up setting.     

18F-FDG PET/CT for monitoring induction chemotherapy in patients with primary inoperable penile carcinoma: first clinical results

Purpose  

The aim of this study was to explore the role of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT for monitoring treatment response in patients with primary inoperable (i.e. advanced) penile carcinoma treated with induction chemotherapy and to compare the metabolic tumour response with the radiological evaluation provided by CT imaging.     

Quantitative effects of cell internalization of two types of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles at 4.7 T and 7 T

Purpose  

MRI coupled with the intravenous injection of ultrasmall superparamagnetic particles of iron oxides (USPIOs) is a promising tool for the study of neuroinflammation. Quantification of the approximate number of magnetically labelled macrophages may provide an effective and efficient method for monitoring inflammatory cells. The purpose of the present study was to characterise the relaxation properties of macrophages labelled with two types of USPIOs, at 4.7 T and 7 T.     

Feasibility of FDG PET/CT to monitor the response of axillary lymph node metastases to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients

Purpose  

The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT to visualize lymph node metastases before the start of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and to determine how often the visualization is sufficiently prominent to allow monitoring of the axillary response.     

Correlation analysis of measurement result between accelerator mass spectrometry and gamma counter

Objective  

The guidelines for microdosing in clinical trials were published in Japan in 2008 following the guidelines of the European Medicines Agency and the Food and Drug Administration. They recommend utilizing accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) and positron emission tomography as candidates for monitoring drug metabolites in preclinical studies. We correlate the two methods by measuring appropriately labeled tissue samples from various mouse organs using both AMS and gamma counter.     

Pediatric lymphoma: metabolic tumor burden as a quantitative index for treatment response evaluation

Objective  

Metabolic tumor burden (MTB) incorporates the advantages of the existing indices: the metabolic volume of the lesion calculated by size-dependent thresholding on positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET–CT) along with its aggressiveness as determined by standardized uptake value (SUV). This study was conducted to investigate whether MTB can be used as an objective index for monitoring therapy response in pediatric lymphoma.     

The role of <Superscript>18</Superscript>F-FDG PET/CT in the assessment of suspected recurrent gastric cancer after initial surgical resection: can the results of FDG PET/CT influence patients’ treatment decision making?

Purpose  

¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT has been widely used for staging, re-staging and for monitoring therapy-induced changes and response to therapy in patients with various types of cancer, but its utilization for gastric cancer has been limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical role of FDG PET/CT in the detection of gastric cancer recurrence as compared with diagnostic CT and to assess the impact of FDG PET/CT results on patients’ treatment planning.     

Positive contrast visualization of SPIO-labeled pancreatic islets using echo-dephased steady-state free precession

Objective  

MRI has recently been introduced as a promising method of monitoring the transplanted pancreatic islets labelled with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO). However, the traditional T₂^* {\hbox{T}}_2^* -weighted approach frequently yields ambiguous results because of the negative contrast of the SPIO particles on the background of other body components. This obstacle could be overcome with the use of a novel method known as echo-dephased steady state free precession (SSFP), generating positive contrast in the presence of paramagnetic material.     

Differential diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodules using <Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc-3P<Subscript>4</Subscript>-RGD<Subscript>2</Subscript> scintigraphy

Purpose  

Targeting of integrin α_νβ₃ with molecular imaging agents offers great potential in early detection and monitoring of tumour angiogenesis. Recently, an RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) tracer, ^99mTc-3P₄-RGD₂, with high affinity to integrin α_νβ₃ and in vivo tumour uptake was developed. In this study, we evaluate the feasibility of this novel radiotracer in the noninvasive differentiation of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs).     

Criterion-related validity of four clinical tests used to measure hamstring flexibility in professional futsal players

Objective

To examine the criterion related validity of the sit-and-reach test (SR), toe touch test (TT), modified sit-and-reach test (MSR) and back-saver sit-and-reach test (BSSR) for estimating hamstring flexibility measured through the passive straight leg raise test (PSLR) in professional futsal players.

Design

Correlation laboratory study.

Setting

Controlled laboratory environment.

Participants

One hundred and three futsal players (55 males age 26 ± 4 years, 48 females age 23 ± 5 years).

Main outcome measures

Two trials of SR, TT, MSR, BSSR (left and right) and PSLR right and left (hamstring criterion measure) in a randomized order.

Results

Regression analysis was performed to examine the association of SR, TT, MSR and BSSR with PSLR in both males and females separately. In males, only MSR test had moderate association criterion with PSLR (R² = 0.57). In females, SR (R² = 0.86), TT (R² = 0.85), MSR (R² = 0.53) and average BSSR (R² = 0.82) were associated with PSLR.

Conclusions

SR, TT, MSR and BSSR had moderate criterion related validity for estimating hamstring flexibility in female but not male professional futsal players. The authors recommend that researchers, clinicians, and physical therapists adopt one angular test as a measure of hamstring muscle length in futsal players.     

Évolution chez l'homme de l'Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I dans le liquide interstitiel musculaire suite à un exercice en résistance

Introduction

The impact of resistance exercise on the growth of the vastus lateralis was assessed through interstitial microdialysis measurement of free Insulin-like Growth Factor-I at +3 h30, +4 h50 and +6 h after exercise in 4 healthy subjects.

Results

We observed 3 h30 after exercise an interstitial increase in 3 over 4 subjects, and thereafter a progressive decrease. In the mean time, free or total plasma concentrations did not change.

Conclusion

Resistance exercise seemed to induce an early increase of muscle interstitial free Insulin-like Growth Factor-I in order to initiate muscle growth by an autocrine – paracrine way.     

Feasibility of Intraoperative Nerve Monitoring in Preventing Thermal Damage to the “Nerve at Risk” During Image-Guided Ablation of Tumors

Purpose

To assess feasibility of intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring (IONM) during image-guided, percutaneous thermal ablation of tumors.

Materials and Methods

From February 2009 to October 2013, a retrospective review of all image-guided percutaneous thermal ablation interventions using IONM was performed and data was compiled using electronic medical records and imaging studies.

Results

Twelve patients were treated in 13 ablation interventions. In 4 patients, real-time feedback from the monitoring neurologist was used to adjust applicator placement and ablation settings. IONM was technically feasible in all procedures and there were no complications related to monitoring or ablation. All nerves at risk remained intact and of the 11 patients who could be followed, none developed new nerve deficit up to a minimum of 2 months after ablation.

Conclusion

IONM is safe and feasible for use during image-guided thermal ablation of tumors in the vicinity of nerves. Outcomes in this study demonstrate its potential utility in image-guided ablation interventions.